To begin this study, first, you must understand that God’s word has no secrets in it that only the educated can find – Why? Fishermen understood the book. Yes, it has to be searched, but if you are faithful and determined, God will show you His answers from His word (seek and you shall find). It is our duty to search out and find for ourselves. If you cannot read, then get someone that you can trust to read the word for you (phone apps can now read). Lastly, the word is best studied from the biblical text that has not been corrupted, for this, we recommend the use of the King James Bible (why the King James?).

For this study, we are going to ask questions that would help you to think. Why? This is what our Lord Yeshua (Jesus) did. He would ask questions for people to answer, and in doing so it helped people to better understand.

Many churches teach that we only need to read the New Testament, is this true?

1. Yes
2. No

The answer will come later.

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Can the meaning of a text change after time has passed? For example, if the text in the Bible had a meaning when it was written, can it mean something different hundreds of years later?

1. Yes
2. No

The answer is No (2). Meanings do not change, what is meant then, is meant now.

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Why should we study from the Torah or the Prophets?

To answer this, ask yourself, what does All Scripture mean in the following text?

(2 Timothy 3:16 [KJV]) 
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  

1. Genesis to Revelation
2. Mathew to Revelation
3. Genesis to Malachi (Torah or the Prophets)

The Answer can only be 3. – From Genesis to Malachi (the Torah or the Prophets) Why?

What was meant then could only refer to the Old Testament (rem: meaning does not change). Why? The New Testament was not known at that time. The books were not written yet and what was written by the apostles were called epistles (or letters) and Gospels to the churches. You see, in that day there was scripture and then there were epistles and gospels. These epistles were sent out to clarify, instruct, inform others on what our Lord said etc. Yeshua, when He was tempted responded with words in the Torah for each temptation (as believers we should do the same). When Yeshua spoke, He would say, it is written, have you not read, it was said of them of old etc – all from the Torah. When His apostles wrote, they would use text from the Torah to support what they were explaining etc. Today, most believers do not read the Torah or the prophets as it is seen now as only for the Jews, not realizing that it is the foundation of our faith (it is the WORD of God- And who is the Word of God? Yeshua/Jesus). 

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So now, ask yourself what do you think these men that were nobler using to determine what was right or wrong (profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness)?

(Acts 17:11 [KJV])
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

1. Only the Old Testament
2. Only the New Testament
3. Both the Old and the New Testament.

It could only be 1. – the old Testament. Why? The New Testament was not put together as yet and what they had from the apostles were called epistles (the first epistle was written in approx 32AD). THESE BELIEVERS WERE LIVING THE NEW TESTAMENT. The scriptures they used were from the Old Testament for correction/doctrine etc  to see whether those things were so.

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So when did the New Testament come into being?

New Testament History:
The final writing of the New Testament letters is believed not to have gone past the year 120 AD (AD- After death and resurrection of our Lord). The first list of the New Testament books was put together in the year 382 AD at the Council in Rome under pope Damasus. The list was officially accepted in the year 405 AD by pope Innocent who ratified the canon of scripture that now included the New Testament as scripture.

Information sourced from here on wiki.

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In conclusion, in the New Testament whenever the word scripture, precepts, ordinance, law or commandments are used, they are referring to what is written in the Torah or the prophets.

Read…
(Matt 5:17-19 [KJV])
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

As believers, the law still stands, we are not under the law of sin and death, but we are under grace. So we obey the law because we are saved, we do not obey the law to be saved.

Heaven and earth are still here and have not passed away, so you need to read and understand the Old Testament for your life. The New Testament explains the Old and what our Lord came to do. Lastly, there is no contradiction between the Old and the New Testament. Someone put it this way, “The New Testament is hidden in the Old, and the Old Testament is revealed in the New”.

Listen and obey:
(John 14:15 [KJV])
If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Where was Yeshua quoting from?… Here
(Exod 20:6 [KJV])
And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

What commandments? All the commandments in the Torah. This is where we look for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

See how Yeshua and others quoted from the Torah.

Be Blessed in understanding.